Collapsible and invertible lamp shade



Jan. 13, 1953 F. s. ZENDA 2,625,648

CQLLAPSIBLE AND INVERTIBLE LAMP SHADE Filed Jan. 20, 1951 INVENTOR. 77?.80 6 25/3 06 A Trams E Y6.

Patented Jan. 13, 1953 UNI TED STATES PATENT @O-FFICIE coLLArsmL-E AND murmur-Mr SHADE FreilS. "Z'ehda, Cuyahega-Heig'hts, nsiieiioannusiy 2o, i esnseria'l No.. 20s,944

"3 Claims; 1

The present invention lrelate's generally as indicated to .lamp shades, and,moreiparticularly to collapsible lamp shades for table lamps and the like. v

Hitherto the most "familiar type of'lamp shade has been one which comprises a wire framework, fabric covered -both "inside and outside, the latter covering usually being of pleated, ruched, swirled, or other elaborate form, and inm'any instances thereisasecondouter covering "of flexible plastic material. As any Yhousew'i'fe will testify, such shades .are .not only of relatively high initial cost .I'but in addition because the pleats, ru'flles, etc.,.are proneto catch dustin the crevices such shades quickly become soiled, such soiling making .it :necessary toffrequen'tly replace the shade 'because of the difiicultylor impossibility of properly cleaning. the same. ,fMoreover, one does not dare to wet such shades because the rusting of the framework will discolor the fabric coverings, TIn additionljto ithese disadvantages, there is an inherent danger of firesince many of such shades arelnot of fireproof construction. Astill furthers-problem is that such shades occupy considerable spaceon the store counter and in the warehouse, Ii't -being necessary to handle the same .w'ithcareand'to individually pack the same into large :size cartons to avoid damage in transit. Moreover, with-such shade mounted on atable'lamp; for example, Titls necessary to reach under the shade in order "to operate the lamp switch.

Accordingly, it is among the chiefobjects of this invention to provide. a collapsible lampshade which avoids allrofnthe aforesaid objections while yet being of simple andlightweig'ht durable construction.

More specifically stated, among the ,primary objects of this inventionare to vprovidea collapsible lamp shade of uniqueiformwhich essentially comprises a series of different size bands or leaves suspended from thellampvin vertically o'fiset and radially 'spacedrela'tionand designed: to be. nested within one another itocccupyaiminimum space on the counter, in the warehouse, and in transit as determined by .the .heightand size. of the largest band; to provide acoll'aps'ihle shade which is of extremely lightweight construction, especially when said "bands are fabricated as from enameled aluminum Venetian .lolind stock and which nevertheless may be subjected ,ltolgrough handling and washed simply by sloshing or brushing in a suitable cleaning/:solutionpr by wiping as with adampclpth; toj-provide'a collapsible 'shade'w'li'ichhangs 'by gravity in shade .ra'isedifrom "one side to provide convenient access :to .the lampswitch; and to provide a collapsible shade whichis of ornate appearance and which creates an unusual lighting 'efi'ect with adjacent brightly illuminated, int'ermediately illuminated and .un'illuminated {areas or stripes around the outer faces of the bands it-hereof while providing "for direct dow'n l-ligl iting' and indirect lighting b the passage of light upwardly "between successive "bands "for reflection "by the room ceiling andsurrolmdi'ng objects the room.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear 'as the description proceeds.

"Ioxthe accomplishment ofithe foregoing and vrelated ends, said invention then comprises the *"fea'tureshereinafter fully described and "particularly pointedJoni: in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forthiin detail certainfillustrative embodiments of theirivent'ion, thesefbeingjindicative, "however, .of'but a few o ff'the various way in which the principle or the invention imaybe employed.

Fig; '1 is ;a vertical cross-section view showing one ,iform or the shade constituting the present "invention mounted on a rtahle lamp or the like;

Fig. an a cross-section view showing "theishade of Fig, 1 in collapsed condition;

Fig; 13 is a fragm'enta'ry" cross-section view on an enlarged fs'ca'le' showing the novel manner of securing together the hands of the shade;

Fig. 4 is a .ira g'mentaryl elevation view of a portion of a'band showing the formation adjacent I the lower edge Ythe'reoffor the hand connecting means; v r 7 Fig.5 "is a cross-sectionviewof [a .m'odifiedfor-m ofband made froniftran'sversely bowed or arched strip 511061;; and

Fig. 6 is afragmentaryplan view showing the interconnection of, polygonal or like bands of "the shade at the corners 'thereo f'lby means of flexible elements; 7 s

Broadly .s't'ate'd, Ithepresentflflamp shade comprises "a series of bands or' leaves held in 'veritically offset and. .radial'lyspace'd ..relation by means of .a plurality .of lilex'ib'l'e cord-like elerment'sfpreferably bead chains, but including other similar element wsnch as twine, stranded wireljeitc, which elements extend downwardly .andoutwa rdly :from the; smallest hand and which are/secured to the' gre'spective :bands at spaced intervals, .The smallest. band is provided with reon'neeti ng means theree'nrfirom which the -shade is adapted to be suspended from a lamp. Said 3 shade is collapsed simply by removing the same from the lamp and nesting together of the bands so as to occupy a space corresponding to the height of the bands and bounded by the largest band.

Referring now more specifically to the drawing, the lamp shade illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a series of bands or leaves l8 of successively decreasing size, each band being preferably formed as from a strip of .008 by 2 inch enameled Venetian blind stock, either steel or aluminum but preferably the latter because of its light weight, the ends of each band being overlapped and secured together as by means of rivets a which may be plated or otherwise rendered attractive in appearance so as to enhance the appearance of the shade as a whole. In the finished shade the overlapped joints are preferably disposed in the same radial plane whereby the shade may be turned to position the joints wherever desired. A

While it is preferred that the bands may be made from Venetian blind stock, any other strip stock of the same or diiferent thickness and width may be used, and the material need not be aluminum or steel but may be of any other metal, and in some instances non-metallic materials may be preferred. The shade herein illustrated has eight bands but it is to be understood that any desired number of bands may be provided in accordance with the size and shape of the shade.

Said bands l-8 may be formed to any desired shape such as circular, oval, polygonal (three, four, five, six or any desired number of sides), scalloped, star shaped, etc. In the case of circular bands, it is preferred to use flat strip stock because the same holds its shape without tendency of popping to oval or egg shape and in the case of polygonal or otherwise shaped bands, particularly those with sharp bends, it is preferred to use transversely arched or bowed strip stock because of the added rigidity imparted to the sides of the bands by reason of such bowed section and because of imparting to the lamp shade the appearance of stability and strength. In the latter case, the stock is preferably bulged outwardly of the band In as best shown in Fig. 5, but it is to be understood that similar results will be obtained with the'stock bulged inwardly of the band.

By making the bandsI-B of the shade from Venetian blind stock as aforesaid, left-over coil ends insufficient to make a complete blind may be used, thereby effecting substantial economies, and a wide choice of colors is available so as to match or to harmonize with the color scheme of the room. Moreover, the appearance of the shade may be enhanced by making some bands thereof of one color and other bands of one or more difierent colors or different shades of the same color.

The smallest band 8 has formed closely adjacent to its lower edge at least three uniformly spaced openings ll sheared along the line l2 to the lower edge as best shown in Fig. 4. Secured in such openings ll are a corresponding number of inwardly extending bead chains 1 4 having the link between the'two outermost beads snapped into the openings ll through the slits l2, said beads being of larger size than the openings whereby said chains are secured to said band 8. The inner ends of said chains [4 are secured to bead chain couplings l5 and in turn said couplings are secured to a washer l6 located at the center of said band. As apparent, by using chains M of different legnths, the vertical position of washer IS with respect to said band 8 may be varied when the shade is mounted on a lamp. The bead chains 14 and washer is constitute but one form of connecting means and, if desired, other known forms of connecting means may be employed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In other words, the connecting means may comprise a washer having radially disposed wires, extending therefrom and secured at their outer ends to the band 8. The connecting means may also comprise a wire clamp adapted to clamp directly on the light bulb of the lamp.

The lamp herein illustrated comprises a base 17 carrying a lamp socket 18 at the top for a light bulb 19, said socket having the usual switch 20 therein. Said base II also has mounted thereon a shade supporting harp 2| provided with the usual swiveled stud 23 at the top, said stud being adapted to extend through the washer l6 and to have threaded thereonto the nut and ornament 24 to clamp the washer It. By using chains 14 of selected length, said ornament 24 may be concealed partly or wholly beneath the upper edge of band 8 or may extend in its entirety above said band 8.

In order to suspend the bands 1-! from each other and from saidv band 8 in radially spaced and vertically offset relation as shown in Fig. 1, flexible cord-like elements 25, herein bead chains, are secured at spaced intervals preferably adjacent the lower edges of the respective bands l-8, the manner of securing being through openings H and slits 12 as previously explained in connection with chains l4 and as best shown in Fig. 3. In the case of circular bands, at least three chains 25 are employed, these being uniformly spaced around the bands. For shades with triangular and rectangular bands, said chains 25 will preferably be secured at the corners of the bands as shown in Fig. 6 and, of course, for hexagonal and octagonal bands, for example, one chain 25 may be secured at every second corner. Also, as previously pointed out in connection with-Fig. 5, the bands 29, 30, 3|

when of polygonal or like form as in Fi 6 will be of transversely-bowed cross section to impart strength to maintain the sides thereof straight. The openings II and slits 12 are in this instance at the corners of the bands 29, 30, 31

The points of connection of chains [4 and 25 to band 8 are preferably circumferentially spaced but in some instances said chains I4 and 25 may be one and the same.

This manner of connecting the elements 25 and the bands l-8 is very strong, and said elements are more or less hidden when the shade is viewed from the side. Any severe downward pull on any of the bands l-l is away from the slits l2 and even when such downward forces urge the elements 25 against the slits (2 it is virtually impossible to sever the connections except by a pull on the order of twenty or more pounds, which pull is many times greater than will ever be applied on the shade parts even when roughly handled.

When the shade thus formed is mounted on a table lamp or the like, it will hang evenly as in Fig. 1 and if it be desired to operate switch 20 one side of the lowermost bands may be raised without requiring reaching under the shade whereupon after theswitch is operated and the hand removed said bands will drop down to their original positions.

In Fig. 2 the shade is shown in a flat collapsed condition with the bands l8 nested together. In such collapsed condition, the shade occupies only a space of height equal to that of the bands and bounded by the largest band I, and several collapsed shades may be packed in a carton of size now required for one ordinary shade.

One convenient way of cleaning the shade is to grasp the washer l6 and chains I4 and to alternately collapse and uncollapse and slosh the shade in a cleaning solution. Another way of cleaning is to brush the surfaces of the bands while the shade is extended and then, if necessary, the shade may be extended in the opposite direction to expose the portions of the bands which were previously partly nested in the surrounding bands. Still another way of cleaning is simply to wipe the bands as with a damp cloth.

A shade fabricated from bands of enameled Venetian blind stock is durable and there is no danger of chipping of the enamel coating either during the forming of sharp bends in the stock or by rough handling of the finished shade.

From the standpoint of illumination, the shade herein throws an abundance of light downwardly as is desired for general illumination and for reading or writing and because light may freely pass upwardly between successive bands there is provided an over-all illumination by the reflection of such light from the room ceiling. Another feature of this shade is that because the bands are disposed so that the lower edges are below the upper edges of the surrounding bands the brightness of the light bulb is concealed at all angles of view from horizontal to approximately 30 to 45 downwardly, the latter-angle, of course, being variable according to the radial spaces between the bands and the amount of vertical overlap of the surrounding bands. In the present case, the vertical overlap of the bands is uniform but the radial spaces are varied to produce an attractive shade of generally bell shape.

Another feature of this invention is the unique lighting of the shade itself when the bulb I9 is lit, there being a dark unilluminated stripe 26 around at least the smaller bands such as bands 5--8, a stripe 2'! which varie from dark to light, and a stripe 28 which is brightly illuminated by light reflected from the inside face of the surrounding bands.

A still further feature of the present invention is that the use of bead chain 25 greatly facilitates the assembly of the shade in that all that it is necessary to do is to count a certain number of beads and pop the next link portion into the opening H in the respective bands l8.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed,

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a lamp shade having a generally tapered, stepped form and designed to be positioned in surrounding, horizontal light shielding relation around the light source of a table lamp and the like, the combination of several bands of thin, strip material radially spaced apart from one another for passage of light vertically between adjacent bands and through the smallest band and vertically offset from one another to define such generally tapered, stepped formation of the shade and to afford horizontal light shielding, and continuous outwardly and downwardly extending flexible bead chains secured at longitudinally spaced intervals therealong to said bands at peripherally spaced points around the latter to suspend said shade from the smallest band and to render said shade collapsible by nesting together of said bands and also invertible, each of said bands being formed at each of such peripherally spaced points and adjacent the bottom edge thereof with an opening smaller than the beads of the chain secured thereto to receive therein the link portion between successive beads and with a slit leading from such opening to such bottom edge through which slit such link portion is snapped to position the same in such opening.

2. The lamp shade of claim 1 wherein said bands are of polygonal shape, and of transversely bowed cross-section to retain the sides thereof straight, and such bead chains are secured to said bands at the corners of the latter.

3. The lamp shade of claim 1 wherein said head chains extend inwardly of the smallest band, and connector means within said smallest band for mounting said shade on a lamp, said connector means being connected to the inner ends of said head chains.

FRED S. ZENDA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,193,191 Ritter Aug. 1, 1916 1,741,658 Sakier Dec. 31, 1929 2,075,206 Kantack Mar. 30, 1937 2,087,750 Bookman, Jr July 20, 1937 2,303,747 Kuhl Dec. 1, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 359,777 Great Britain Oct. 29, 1931 360,676 Great Britain Nov. 12, 1931 516,982 Great Britain Jan. 17, 1940 

